The CPI-M today called for removal of "communal" BJP and "corrupt" TMC from power at the Centre and in West Bengal as its top brass converged here for the party's plenum, first in 37 years, to discuss ways to rejuvenate it.
Top CPI-M leaders also underscored the need for reaching out to secular and democratic forces, besides the masses to bring back into the party fold those who have got "alienated".
"In this plenum, we are giving a call for removal of the BJP at the Centre and the TMC in West Bengal," CPI-M general secretary Sitaram Yechury said as other top leaders joined him in castigating the two parties at the opening session of the five-day plenum which got underway here after a hiatus of 37 years.
The BJP is "spreading communalism" in the country, while TMC is "destroying" the poor of the state, they said.
"The condition of the country is not good. The BJP is spreading the poison of communalism in the country. They are trying to destroy the poor of this state. That is why our call is to remove BJP and save the country. The condition of Bengal is critical. It is standing on the verge of collapse. It is a government of criminals and culprits," former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee said.
"The condition of Industrialisation is also very bleak. That is why we have to remove this corrupt TMC regime and save Bengal," he said, acknowledging the fight ahead was "tough".
"We have a tough fight ahead and we not only need to put up a fight but also win it in order to save Bengal," he said.
The CPI-M, down in the dumps since its ouster from power in West Bengal in May 2011, has called the plenum to discuss ways to revive and revamp the party organisation. More than 400 leaders, including politburo and central committee members, are attending it.
Leader of Opposition in the state assembly and politburo member Surya Kanta Mishra asked the party cadres to reach out to the masses and bring back those sections to the party fold which had got alienated.
"Every party member needs to reach out to a new person every day. We need to bring back those who got alienated. We need to bring together other democratic and secular forces with us. We need to reach out to those sections of masses also who are with the TMC, the BJP or the Congres, and who can join us in this fight against corrupt TMC. This is our challenge," Mishra said.
In an apparent admission of differences within the party, he said it would be better if a "certain section" left the organisation.
"With all humility we need to accept one thing that it will be better if a certain section of people doesn't stay in the party. Maybe this section is very samll, but it will be better if they don't stay.
"And still there is a large section of people outside the party, who should be in the party. They should stay with us. Those who are in the fight and with the masses should stay with us and those who are not in the fight should stay away from the party," Mishra said but did not specify who he wanted out.
